Structural geology

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Labs: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

The course introduces mechanics of rock deformation. It discusses recognition, interpretation, and mechanics of faults, folds, structural features of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and superposed deformations and introduces regional structural geology and tectonics. Laboratory includes techniques of structural analysis, recognition and interpretation of structures on geologic maps, and construction of interpretive cross sections.

Introduction to Geology (12.001), Applications of Continuum Mechanics to Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (12.005)

Twiss, Robert J., and Eldridge M. Moores. Structural Geology. New York, NY: W. H. Freeman, 1992. ISBN: 9780716722526.

"Labs" for this course serve two main purposes: first, they are a chance to discuss material covered during the week, answer questions, and supplement the lecture materials; second, they consist of exercises that apply material covered in lecture and reading to various problems.

There are 10 lab assignments. Apart from a few labs that will focus on specific techniques of structural geology (3D geometry, stereonets, Mohr circles), the labs will be based on geological maps and real data. If you are taking 12.114 (Field Geology), the experience you gain in this course will serve you well as you put theory into practice out in the mountains.

Labs will meet for 3 hours per week. At the beginning of each class, you will be given a mini-quiz. This will take 10 minutes, and we will correct them immediately. The mini quizzes will cover material from the lectures and ensure that everyone is more or less on the same page before beginning that week's lab assignment. Then we will begin to work on the practical exercises for that week.

Ideally, most of the work will be done in-class. You may have to spend some time outside of class ensuring that you hand in clear and well-presented material. Group work is encouraged during lab meeting times, but you are responsible for the work you hand in.

Labs make up 25% of your grade, but you must pass the lab portion of the course to earn credit for the course, i.e. No matter how well you do on the midterm and final exam, you still need to pass the lab. Lab assignments are due at the beginning of the next weeks lab. The week after that (one week after you turn them in) we will return old labs and hand out the answer key. Late assignments will be docked 10% each day after the due date. I will not accept assignments more than one week overdue. Extension may be given in exceptional circumstances, but you need to clear it with me as early as possible.

Labs will be graded according to clarity of expression, grammar, and good scientific style. Just writing down "the right answer" is usually only enough for a barely passing grade. (Note that since most of the questions will be worked on in class time, you will, in most cases, already be armed with the answers. Your work will consist of thoughtfully articulating these results.)

You will want to have the following materials on hand:

Don't show me this again

This is one of over 2,200 courses on OCW. Find materials for this course in the pages linked along the left.

MIT OpenCourseWare is a free & open publication of material from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum.

No enrollment or registration. Freely browse and use OCW materials at your own pace. There's no signup, and no start or end dates.

Knowledge is your reward. Use OCW to guide your own life-long learning, or to teach others. We don't offer credit or certification for using OCW.

Made for sharing. Download files for later. Send to friends and colleagues. Modify, remix, and reuse (just remember to cite OCW as the source.)

Learn more at Get Started with MIT OpenCourseWare